Chemistry: Computational Chemistry

Degree Type

Concentration

About

To address challenges like sustainable energy, pharmaceuticals, polymers and manufacturing materials, you first must understand the chemical reactions that make them possible. 

Introduction

Computational chemistry uses computer models and simulations to solve complex chemical problems. Often working with enormous amounts of data, computational chemists apply models and algorithms to find patterns, inform processes, and extract useful data for wider applications.  

There are parallels between computational chemistry and computer science; professionals in the field often work closely together. This field is important to drug development, analytical chemistry, and process development, with numerous opportunities in pharmaceuticals and manufacturing. 

In addition to majoring or minoring in general chemistry, students also have the option to choose another concentration for the chemistry major: 

Learn how to: 

  • Demonstrate mastery of computational chemistry foundations and applications 

  • Effectively communicate data and information to the scientific community through written and oral formats 

  • Demonstrate and share ethical values of scientific research, as well as chemistry’s impact on the environment and society 

  • Apply program knowledge to  real world questions and issues 

  • Recognize interdisciplinary relationships between chemistry and other basic sciences including biology, physics, biophysics, material sciences, biochemistry, nanotechnology, and mathematics 

  • Think critically and analytically on investigation and interpretation of experimental results 

  • Solve problems of a chemical nature through application of knowledge of experimental approaches 

  • Apply knowledge to connect solutions and approaches to new problems 

In the computational chemistry concentration, you’ll learn how to integrate chemical theory and modeling with experimental observations through use of statistics, mathematical algorithms, and large databases. You’ll also gain skills to create models and simulations of physical and chemical processes. 

Students studying

750+ Course Options

The Coppin State University Academic Catalog has a wide variety of skill-building courses designed to inspire and prepare you to be in-demand professionals and transformational leaders.

Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission to the Chemistry major, students must be enrolled and in good academic standing. It also helps if you’re excited about and interested in a career in science!  

Program Requirements

To graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, students must complete 120 credit hours. These credit hours split among: 

  • General Education Requirements, or GERs  

  • Core major courses  

  • Supporting major courses

  • Electives 

 

General Education Requirements (GERs)

All students must complete 40 GER credits. In addition, all science majors must also take these courses to satisfy GERs. 

  • MATH 131 (College Algebra for science majors)  

  • BIOL 106 (Fundamentals of cell biology) and  

  • CHEM 101 - General Chemistry (Prerequisite MATH 131) 

Learn more about the program courses you may take as part of the Computational Chemistry concentration.

Core Courses (44 credits)

Course credits Name
CHEM 102 4 General Chemistry II
CHEM 205 4 Quantitative Analysis
CHEM 307 5 Organic Chemistry I

CHEM 308

5

Organic Chemistry II

CHEM 310 4 Instrumentation
CHEM 313 4 Biochemistry

CHEM 400

4

Physical Chemistry for Computational Chemistry

CHEM 409 4 Thermo and Kinetics
CHEM 403 1 Seminar I
CHEM 404 1

Seminar II

CHEM 450 4 Phytochemistry
CHEM 490 4 Polymer Chemistry

Supporting Courses (28 credits)

Course credits Name
BIOL 103 4 Botany
CHEM 450 4 Inorganic Chemistry
PHYS 303 4 Mechanics and Dynamics
PHYS 304 4 Heat, Electricity, and Magnetism

MATH 132

4

Pre-Calculus

MATH 201 4 Calculus I
MATH 202 4 Calculus II

Electives (9 credits)

Course credits Name
CHEM 470 3 Toxicology
CHEM 410 3 Forensic Chemistry
CHEM 409 3 Independent Research

Remember! You must complete all major and prerequisite courses with a grade of C or higher.

Sample Degree Plan

This plan is only for example purposes. Your academic journey may be slightly different from another student’s, so be sure to always communicate with your academic advisor before finalizing your course schedule. 

Fall Semester (15 credits)

Course credits name
ENGL 101 3 English Composition I
PSYC 201 3 General Psychology 
MATH 131 3 College Algebra
HIST xxx 3 History I Course

PHIL 102

or

PHIL 103

3

Introduction to Logic

or 

Philosophy

Spring Semester (18 credits)

course credits name
MATH 132 4 Pre-Calculus
BIOL 106 4 Cell Biology
CHEM 101 4 General Chemistry I
MISY 150 3 Tech Fluency
HIST xxx 3 History II Course

Fall Semester (16 credits)

Course credits name
ENGL 102 3 English Composition II
ANTH 207 3 Anthropology
WLIT 207 3 World Literature
BIOL 103 4 General Botany
HEED 1xx 3 Personal Health

Spring Semester (15 credits)

Course credits name
CHEM 102 4 General Chemistry II
MATH 201 4 Calculus I
IDIS 102 3 Music and Dance
CHEM 290 3 Computational Chemistry

Fall Semester (17 credits)

Course credits name
CHEM 307 5 Organic Chemistry
PHYS 303 4 Mechanics and Particle Dynamics
CHEM 205 4 Quantitative Analysis
MATH 202 4 Calculus II

Spring Semester (17 credits)

course credits name
CHEM 308 5 Organic Chemistry II
PHYS 304 4 Heat and Electricity

CHEM 310 

4

Instrumentation

CHEM 313 3 Biochemistry

Fall Semester (12 credits)

Course credits name
CHEM 403 1 Seminar in Chemistry I
CHEM 410 4 Forensic Chemistry
CHEM 450 3 Phytochemistry
CHEM 490 3 Polymer Chemistry

Spring Semester (12 credits)

Course credits Name
CHEM 409 3 Thermo and Kinetics
CHEM 408 1 Seminar in Chemistry II
CHEM 400 4 Physical Chemistry for Comp
CHEM 405 4 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry

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Chemistry lives in the Department of Natural Sciences in the School of Arts & Sciences within the College of Arts & Sciences, and Education